ROGER**, an Englishman of considerable learning in the 16th century, was born at Kirby Wiske, a village in Yorkshire, near Northallerton. John Ascham, his father, was house-ward in the family of Scroop, and by his wife, Margaret, was connected with several respectable families. A short time before his death, Sir Anthony Winfield, having conceived a predilection for his third son Roger, took him into his family, and extended his bounty so far as to give him the advantage of a private education along with his own sons. Under a domestic tutor, he made a rapid progress in classical learning, and early discovered a great partiality for reading. The superiority of genius and docility of temper which he constantly displayed, displayed, induced his patron to send him to St John's college, Cambridge, in the year 1530.

The revival of Grecian and Roman literature at the period Alcham entered upon his studies, was peculiarly favourable to the natural bent of his inclination. A desire of excelling uniformly influenced his conduct, and adopting the maxim, *Qui docet, dicit*, he began to teach boys the rudiments of the Greek language, as soon as he was acquainted with the elementary parts himself. His plan was approved by Pember; and under the direction of this valuable friend, he soon became acquainted with the best Greek and Latin authors. But he took particular delight in reading Cicero and Caesar; and upon them he formed the elegance of his Latin style, which proved so honourable and so advantageous in the after part of his life.

Alcham took his first degree of bachelor of arts in the 18th year of his life, and was chosen fellow of the college about a month afterwards. The favourable disposition, however, which he manifested towards the reformed religion, was no small obstacle in the way of his preferment. He was elected master of arts in the year 1537, the 21st of his age; and about this period he began to act in the capacity of a tutor.

His reputation for Greek learning soon brought him many pupils; and these were so well instructed, that several of them afterwards rose to considerable eminence. Of these, William Grindall was one of the most distinguished, who obtained the station of master of languages to the lady Elizabeth, upon the recommendation of Sir John Cheke. It appears uncertain why Alcham himself was not appointed to that honourable station; but his partiality for the university, seems, from a hint in one of his letters, to have been the cause. At that period there was no particular chair appropriated to the Greek language; but Alcham was appointed by the university, to read lectures upon that language in the schools. A dispute arose in the university at that time about the pronunciation of the Greek language, in which Alcham first opposed the method observed by Sir John Cheke and Sir Thomas Smith; but upon more mature deliberation, he adopted that method, which has ever since been practised in the English schools. Both on account of the beauty of his handwriting, and the purity and elegance of his Latin, he was employed to write the public letters of the university.

By the advice of his friend Pember, he turned his attention to the study of instrumental music, and thereby enlivened his leisure hours, and prepared his mind for renewed exertion. In his study he also amused himself with embellishing the pages of his manuscripts with beautiful draughts; and in the field, he joined in the diversion of the bow and arrow. The learned Alcham did not deem his labour improperly bestowed in writing a book entitled *Toxophilus*, in that age when the practice of firearms was in its infancy, and the proper use of the bow was of more importance than for mere amusement. This work was useful at that time for introducing into the English language, a more natural, easy, and truly English diction, than was formerly in use; and it also abounds with many beautiful allusions and curious fragments of English history. Alcham candidly acknowledges, that being anxious to make the tour of Italy, which was then the great republic of letters, and particularly of Grecian Alcham literature, he wished, by dedicating his book to the king, to obtain a pension, to enable him to make that tour. It reflects some lustre on the benevolence of Henry VIII. that in the year 1544, he settled upon him an annual pension of £10, which Dr Johnson, considering the circumstance of the times, estimates at the value of £100. Upon the death of Henry, this pension was for some time discontinued, but was again renewed by Edward VI. and doubled by Queen Mary. In the same year also, Alcham obtained the appointment of orator to the university, an office which he retained with great reputation, during the period he was connected with the university.

For some years he received an annual gratuity from Lee, archbishop of York, but to what amount is not recorded; and, in 1548, upon the death of his pupil Grindall, preceptor to the lady Elizabeth, his pupils and writings had acquired him such celebrity, that he was appointed to direct the studies of that princess. He successfully acquitted himself in that honourable charge; but two years after, from some unknown cause of dissatisfaction, he returned to the university, having taken an abrupt leave of the princess. This part of his conduct did not lessen him in the esteem of Elizabeth; for in the same year, she recalled him to court, and appointed him secretary to Sir Richard Morifine, ambassador to the emperor Charles V. In his way to London, he paid a visit to Lady Jane Gray, whom he found in her chamber, reading Plato's Phaedo in Greek, "and that," says he, "with as much delight, as some gentlemen would read a merry tale in Boccaccio;" while the duke and duchess, and the rest of the household, were hunting in the park.

In the character of secretary to Sir Richard, besides aiding him in the management of his public affairs, he also conducted his private studies. During the mornings of four days in the week, he read with him a portion of Herodotus or Demosthenes; and, in the evenings, some pages of Sophocles or Euripides; and, on the other mornings, he wrote the letters of public business; and, on the evenings, he either wrote his own private letters, or continued his diary and remarks. While Alcham was on his travels, he made a short excursion to Italy; but was much delighted with the manners of that people, especially of the Venetians. After his return from that tour, he favoured the world with a curious tract, entitled "A Report, and Discourse of the Affairs and State of Germany," &c.

Upon the death of Edward VI. Morifine was recalled, and Alcham returned to the university. But through the interest of Bishop Gardiner, the fortune of Alcham soon took a favourable turn, who although he knew him to be a Protestant, obtained him the office of Latin secretary to the queen, with liberty to retain his university emoluments; and the additional salary of £10 a-year. The prudence of Alcham enabled him to act a respectable part, both under the intolerant reign of Mary, and also in the most perilous situations during the reign of Elizabeth; and the readiness and elegance of his Latin style, rendered him a useful member at court. He is reported, to have written during the course of three days 47 letters, to persons in the highest ranks of life.

When the crown passed to a Protestant prince, it